Power welcomes release of Bahraini prisoners following Irish delegation visit

23rd August 2011

Senator Averil Power has welcomed the release in Bahrain of Dr. Rula Al Saffar, the head of the Bahrain Nursing Society, and Jalila al Salman, deputy head of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association. Both had been arrested following the crackdown on anti-government protestors in Bahrain last March. Their continued detention has been criticised by the United Nations, the European Union, the Irish Government and human rights organisations.

Senator Power said: “Last month I was part of an Irish delegation that travelled to Bahrain to highlight the plight of medics who had been arrested following anti-government protests earlier this year. Three of the prisoners had trained in Ireland and one of them has an Irish-born child.

“On our visit to Bahrain, we met with medical personnel who had recently been released from prison as well as with the families of those who remained in custody. Their first-hand accounts of the torture and ill-treatment they had been subjected to in custody was truly harrowing”, she said.

“The Irish delegation secured a commitment from the Bahraini Minister for Health, Dr. Fatima Al Balushi, that she would speak to the King of Bahrain and request that the imprisoned medics be released.

“I welcome the news that Dr. Rula Al Saffar and Jalila al Salman have now been released. However ten medics remain in custody and another has been transferred to hospital after suffering a ruptured brain aneurism. Our delegation will continue to campaign for their release.”

Hey Micheal Martin, whats this rubbish about you defending 180 Garda statements that didn't hold up in Court.. What strokes you trying to pulling in saving this broken institutions face.
A) Disband it, its too steeped in civil war politics.
B) Establish a new force with a separate investigative wing.
C) As the Police are a seperate institution to politics then make the new Commissioner an electable position to ensure public confidence instead of 'political' confidence (other countries do it)